The other day I was thinking about a movie I watched when I was a kid on one of those old metal projectors (am I dating myself?!) it was the late 70's (I graduated High School in 1989) anyway... I loved it... and because you can find EVERYTHING now on the Internet. I found it and watched it. It's sort of Halloweeny. Winter of the Witch. A single mom and her son move into a creepy old house with a witch that makes magic psychedelic pancakes. Anyway if you have 22 minutes and nothing to do. Not sure why they felt the need for us to watch it in elementary school but this may explain things about me ;)

Saturday, September 19, 2015

The first day of Fall is just days away but we're still in the high 90's in my 'hood so it's hard to get into the spirit. Oh how I want to. I'm longing to wear my favorite hoodie on a crisp morning walk. We had one day of rain last week I was so thrilled I roasted butternut squash and made a casserole for dinner. I want to use the oven more but uggh heating up the house is not appealing. I did make a batch of pumpkin spice muffins yesterday because they are done in 12 minutes. I can handle that. Especially for these. I have another version I make but I didn't have some of the ingredients so I adapted. I think I might even like this one better with the addition of chai spices.

Mix egg, milk, syrup, pumpkin and oil and combine thoroughly. If you are watching your fat grams you could ax the oil and sub NSA applesauce but 1 T of oil for the whole batch is not a lot and I think they are tastier with it and doesn't compete with the pumpkin flavor. In a separate bowl, mix pancake mix, protein powders and salt. Tip dry into wet and stir till combined. Pour into a non stick 12 cup mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with Pam.

Cooks Note: No Spiced Chai Protein? Get some. No seriously, it's a yummy shake or warm drink in the winter but then you can make my granola and yogurt dip too. Really can't wait to get it 1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice and 1-1/2 -ish T of extra Vanilla Protein will work. But... really get the Spiced Chai, it's soooo good.

Optional: You can add cheese filling. I usually do about 1/2 the batch with filling and half I leave plain. Allow muffins to cool slightly. Using a drinking straw poke a little hole in the center of each mini muffin and pipe filling inside. The filling really makes them like a healthier version of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Muffins but those suckers are 420 calories a piece (most often paired with a 380 cal Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte) ouch?! that's no snack. P.S. Mine are about 40 cals.

Mix till well combined. Spoon into a piping bag or a snack sized baggie that has the corner snipped off. Seal baggie with tape. Pipe into mini muffins. This is plenty for 12 mini muffins. If you don't want to pipe it you can always slice them in half and smear it in the middle. Leftover filling is also great smeared on sliced apples.

More low carb, sugar free or no sugar added, weight loss surgery friendly recipes and tastes of Fall can be found on my Fall Pinterest Page.

Friday, September 18, 2015

It's National Cheeseburger Day and while I tend to choose leaner protein sources most of the time. I love me a gooey cheeseburger. One of my favorites is a place called Burger Lounge, here in Temecula (several in Southern California) and they will wrap it in lettuce. Since I choose not to eat bread post weight loss surgery, it's a great low carb option (albeit a little messy.) I'm thankful most every place I've asked will accommodate. Try it. I think without the bread you get to taste and enjoy all the yummy stuff even more.

You can also get all the great taste of a cheeseburger in one of these favorite recipes from the blog...

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

A day in my pouch is a series of blog posts to show what a typical daily menu looks like in my post weight loss surgery world. Yesterday's healthy and delicious menu...

Breakfast: Ricotta Pancakes topped with Chia Jam. If you haven't made this jam yet, do it. It's sooo good. No sugar added topping for Greek yogurt, ricotta or cottage cheese, ricotta pancakes, smeared on a slice of protein cake or a protein muffin, as a protein ice cream topping, stirred in oatmeal (a spoon of powdered peanut butter and a spoon of this jam = PB&J heaven)

Lunch: I am so done with summer. I'm ready for sweaters, pumpkin everything, casseroles, chilly air. It was 100 yesterday. Supposed to be 102 today and above 95 for the rest of the week. Uggh. So the first of many non-cook (aka not heating up the kitchen till after dark) lunches I will survive on for the next week was this sort of Caprese Salad with Fresh Mozzarella and Avocado (drizzle of balsamic dressing, salt, pepper, oregano)

Dinner: I made a batch of un-"breaded" chicken tenders and served them with a tomato pesto Greek yogurt dip (1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt and a dollop of that tomato pesto I made the other day) and sauteed zucchini and onions.

I just dredged some Foster Farms chicken tenders in beaten egg then in a combo of almond meal and parmesan (1/2 cup almond meal to 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese) and (salt, pepper, sprinkle of Zaatar) seasonings. I sauteed them in a small amount of olive oil but for an even lighter version you can bake them. I do 425 (foil lined, non stick sprayed, baking sheet) for 15-20 minutes depending on thickness.

Snacks: Too much coffee, I made a Cherry Coconut Protein Shake and later in the day in honor of Ants on a Log Day (which is actually today, so still time to celebrate) I made an assortment: the OG classic "Ants on a Log" peanut butter and raisins and "Ants and Friends" peanut butter and dark chocolate almond, almond butter and dried cranberry and dried cherry and spreadable cheese. I cut them in half post picture and shared with my Mum and she declared the cherry/cheese combo the winner. I couldn't decide, loved them all. Hooray for preschool snack time ;)

Monday, September 7, 2015

Question: Couldn't you just try exercise and dieting? Why have weight loss surgery?

Answer: I will answer your question but bear in mind... this is MY STORY and we (those who have chosen the helping hand of weight loss surgery to address their obesity) will have different stories (we are all unique snowflakes us humans.)

I dieted most of my teenage and adult years off and on and whenever I was told "well you know you really should lose some weight" by a Dr (they don't give you much more than that in a 10 minute visit) I would try the latest diet, best selling book, $$$ program, infomercial, pill or potion, etc. low carb, low cal, no fat, I did them all (none of which were covered by insurance, though my obesity related illnesses were but that's a rant for another day.)

Without real help this is the conflicting and inaccurate information we face in the world.

Like most diets they will work for a time. I can suffer through anything for a few weeks, months but is it sustainable for life... that's the difference. I am not suffering. I utilized the early months after weight loss surgery to make lifestyle changes that I can live with forever... finding healthy food I love, eliminating some that needed to go, moving my body every day, working on the emotional factors of obesity. The scale #'s going down in a way no diet ever helped me achieve were a big motivation, my activity level just in everyday life increased and add the ability to move more easily and effectiveness of exercise without 150+ extra pounds but more importantly the rapid weight loss resolved all my health issues.

I had a ton of major health issues going on: GERD, acid reflux so severe that it would rise up out of my nose and mouth, severe sleep apnea episodes where I would stop breathing almost 100 times in the night, the combo of those are deadly as you can imagine (aspiration, lack of oxygen, stress on heart, stroke risk, etc.) as part of the treatment for those conditions (along with the high blood pressure and some other conditions) I was on 8 medications. You can imagine I wasn't always up for doing burpees or jogging... in fact many of the medications I was prescribed list weight gain as a side effect (not an excuse, just a fact.)

When you are next in a store like Costco or Sam's do this: pick up a 150 pound bag of something... rice or beans or dog food and try and run... but do it when you are ill and keep that bag with you for many years, at work, at school, try and fit in this world with it's airplane seats and tray tables, student desks, hospital gowns, and turnstiles... oh and on occasion as you are carrying that weight have someone call you names, or treat you differently, or pass you over, or assume and make judgements, make disgusted faces or ask questions like "have you ever tried dieting and exercise?"

Hope that answers your question.

P.S. But wait there's more... and then when you decide with the advice of your doctor that surgical assistance is needed you have to justify your "readiness to change" and wait for 6-12 months as you jump through hoops for approval of the procedure. Often despite all the hoop jumping, you are denied coverage and that blow is so devastating that many do not recover from it, too tired and ill to fight the powers that be. Is there another condition or disease that this would ever happen with?! (There isn't) "I'm sorry Ms. Vicari before we grant your heart bypass or stent you have to prove you tried to change your diet and exercised and if in 6 month you lose xx amount of weight and bring us proof we'll help you... maybe." or "I'm sorry Ms. Vicari we can't remove the tumor or give you chemo or radiation until you show that you can change your lifestyle." It's unacceptable.

I am thankful everyday for the helping hand weight loss surgery gave me and to all those that infer I cheated, took a shortcut or the easy way out (like health is some sort of game) or say "Ohhh you had that surgery, I lost weight with diet and exercise" I say... "Yeah me too, every single day for the rest of my life." Best wishes to all of us!

Join me and become a member of the Obesity Action Coalition, together we're working for positive change to some of the negatives above (It's only $10 for the remainder of the year too, part of the OAC's 10th Anniversary celebration.)

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Last week I found out I was the winner of an Instagram contest held by Windset Farms and California Grown. Big THANK YOU! Oodles of gorgeous California grown veggies arrived on my doorstep: Concerto Grape Tomatoes, Tomatoes on the Vine, Campari Tomatoes, Symphony Tomato Ensemble, Roma Tomatoes, Fresco Seedless Cucumbers and Fresco Cocktail Cukes! Cucumbers are my post weight loss surgery cracker replacement and I love tomatoes (Hello?! 1/2 Sicilian) so it really was the perfect prize for me to win.

Needless to say I've been making A LOT of recipes with tomatoes this past week. I took the Roma tomatoes and made a big pot of Chili for dinner the very first night, 1/2 of which is in the freezer and will make for an easy dinner next week. I made a few salads, a few bento box lunches, invited neighbors to have a taste and I even broke out my dehydrator and dried some. This morning I turned the dried tomatoes into a crazy good pesto I plan to use in recipes this week... thinking about mixing some into one of my mini meatloaf recipes. Will post the results.

Here's a few of my favorites uses from last week...

Shelly's Pizza Tomatoes

Sliced Tomatoes
Shredded Italian Blend Cheese
Grated Parmesan
a sprinkle of Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper
a dash of Oregano

Slice the tomatoes, top with a Tablespoon of shredded cheese, sprinkle seasonings and Parmesan. Broil till bubbly and slightly golden.

I served them as a side with Egg Bites (crustless quiches) and another day with grilled fish. Delicious and easy side dish I will make often. I think I might put a slice of pepperoni on top next time.

Pulse all ingredients in a mini food processor till desired consistency. You can replace walnuts with pine nuts (they are $$$ though) or almonds. It'll stay for a week in the fridge or freeze in ice cube trays. Mix in Greek yogurt for a dip or dressing. Spread on fish or chicken before baking. Mix in recipes. Spread on a tortilla pizza instead of sauce. Mixed in chicken, tuna, bean or egg salad. Mix in soup. Endless uses.

I was determined to use every last one of those delicious tomatoes. Hope the above gives you a few ideas.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Heads up Premier Protein bar lovers: Score $5.00 off the 30 gram protein bar, 2 flavor variety pack at Costco Wholesale stores nationwide from September 3rd through September 27th, no coupon is needed. The new variety box has a combination of two popular Premier Protein bar flavors Chocolate Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Mint, 11 bars of each flavor. It's an awesome deal works out to around 70¢ a bar.

You have to try this: We've had quite a hot summer in Southern California, a few weeks of triple digits. I was always looking for protein packed snacks that didn't need cooking and wouldn't heat me up. This was great...

I chopped up Premier Protein bars into bite size pieces, placed them in quart size zipper baggies and froze them. When I wanted a snack in the hottest part of the afternoon I grabbed a couple of frozen pieces to nibble on. The Dark Chocolate Mint bars taste like a healthier version of those famous Girl Scout cookies everyone eats waaaay too many of.

Head over to the Premier Protein website for all the nutritional 411 on the bars.

Oh and FYI Costco also carries Premier Protein RTD Ready to Drink shakes (my Temecula location has all three flavors) Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberries & Cream. They are great to take to the beach or park. Freeze one, toss it in your beach bag and by the afternoon you will have a frosty shake for the drive home.

Or breakout the blender for another big savior this summer: my Lemon Pie Shake: 1 Vanilla Premier Protein RTD Shake, 1 Tablespoon of Sugar Free Lemon Pudding Mix (dry) and a few Ice Cubes. Blend on High. I topped it with Homemade No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and a few summer sprinkles.

This post is sponsored by Premier Protein.For the purposes of this post Premier Protein provided me with products used. Want to learn more about Premier Protein products LIKE their Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram and tell them The World According to Eggface told you to stop by. Hope you get in on the Costco deal and give the frozen bars (and Lemon Pie Shake) a try.

About Me

I had my guts rearranged (aka Weight Loss Surgery, RNY gastric bypass surgery June 2006) This blog is basically me rambling about my world. I also post recipes that I've adapted to make weight loss surgery friendly.
I love to cook.
I have always loved to cook. It's my creative outlet. I was scared that having weight loss surgery would put an end to my days in the kitchen but happily it did not. I actually get to be even more creative by analyzing a favorite recipe and seeing where I can make changes to make a healthier version of a pre-op favorite.